(Mar. 18, 2024) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora), held a hearing on House Bill 2484. The bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact to provide interstate practice privileges for social workers.
Proponents included:
- Rep. Susan Ruiz (D-Shawnee)
- Becky Fast, The National Association of Social Workers - Kansas Chapter, Topeka
- David Fye, executive director of the Behavior Sciences Regulatory Board
There were no opponents or neutral conferees.
The committee also held a hearing on House Bill 2578. The bill provides that programs and treatments provided by a certified community behavioral health clinic be granted a renewal certification if such programs and treatments have been previously certified or accredited and would keep other non-community mental health centers from becoming a CCBHC.
Proponents included:
- Kyle Kessler, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, Topeka
- Tim DeWeese, Johnson County Mental Health Center
- Joan Tammany, COMCARE, Wichita
- Robbin Cole, Pawnee Mental Health Services
Opponents included:
- Stuart Little, Behavioral Health Association of Kansas, Topeka
- Angela Henrick, KVC Kansas, Topeka
Neutral testimony was provided by:
- Andy Brown, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, Topeka
- Sonja Bachus, Community Care Network of Kansas
The committee worked House Bill 2777. The legislation restricts state fire marshal investigators from using body cameras during an inspection. The committee saw an amendment offered by Sen. Pat Pettey (D-Kansas City) to allow the state fire marshal to have audio services. The amendment allows the use of body cameras or still photos to collect evidentiary images.
The committee meets again tomorrow.